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WBOP NZDA Branch Day Course: Fear & Anxiety in our Dental Environment - How to recognise, understand and manage it This full-day course will focus on understanding and managing fear and anxiety in both dental patients and the dental team. Join us for a day of expert insights and practical solutions to improve care and reduce anxiety in the dental environment. A light breakfast, morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Learning outcomes

Topics will cover the psychological challenges faced by patients of all ages, from children to adults, and practical strategies for reducing apprehension. In addition we will explore sedation techniques, revolutionary new advancements in local anaesthesia, strategies to enhance patient comfort and lessen anxiety for the whole dental team.

Further information 
Speakers

Professor Zac Morse See Bio

Professor Morse is a New Zealand dentist with extensive international education and experience in dental pain and anxiety control across Oceania, East Asia, the Pacific, and West Asia. His focus has evolved from the pharmacological management of dental fear and anxiety to emphasising the psychological considerations, environmental adjustments, and patient-centred care that are required to address the underlying issues. Professor Zac Morse will be presenting via video conference from the American University of Iraq in Baghdad.

Dr Dorothy Boyd See Bio

Dr Dorothy Boyd is a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry. She ran a specialist private practice as well as working part-time as a senior lecturer in the University of Otago. Originally from Northern Ireland, she completed BDS in Edinburgh and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. After moving to New Zealand Dorothy completed a Master’s in Paediatric Dentistry (with distinction) at the University of Otago. She undertook training in hypnosis which led to an understanding of the importance of the language used in interactions with children and families in oral health car

Dr Lester Settle See Bio

Dr Lester Settle graduated with an Otago BDS in 1988. Lester also completed a Post Graduate Diploma Clinical Dentistry 2022 in Oral Surgery. He has been a NZRC Core Instructor since 2012 and became a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 2018. Having been the Clinical Director at Christchurch Hospital from 2011-2023, Lester also runs a private clinic in Christchurch called Wisdom Dental.

Professor Paul Brunton See Bio

Professor Paul Brunton joined Curtin University as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic in 2022. He is responsible for the learning and teaching portfolio. After graduating from the University of Leeds, School of Dentistry in 1984, he obtained his MSc in Restorative Dentistry and his PhD from the University of Manchester. Professor Brunton graduated with a DDSc from the University of Otago in 2021. He was granted his Fellowship in Dental Surgery from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1995 and in 2022 he was awarded a Fellowship by election from the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the R

Professor Paul Brunton 

Dr Rohit Bedi See Bio

Rohit is based in Christchurch where he practices the full scope of general dentistry with a special interest in advanced intravenous sedation techniques for anxious patients and those with complex needs. He is passionate about patient safety and believes in a team based approached to sedation with a focus on hi fidelity simulations. He lectures nationally and internationally for dental associations, consults on policies on sedation safety, and conducts training and international research in target controlled infusions, notably at the University of Alberta. Active in sedation societies gl

Dr David Chrisp See Bio

David Chrisp is an Oral Surgeon, recently retired after 45 years of clinical practice, working predominantly in Tauranga. He was involved in all aspects of sedation including formulation of early guidelines for safe practice, teaching and development of new computer enhanced techniques. He co-authored several papers in sedation and has presented his work in both Australia and North America. He remains a passionate advocate for sedation and will offer his experience based on tens of thousands of cases.

Dr Angus Campbell See Bio

Angus graduated from the University of Otago in 1984 with a BDS. He is a general dentist in his practice in Rotorua. He is an active member of the NZDA Waikato/Bay of Plenty Branch. He is a NZDA Wellbeing Champion and promotes the importance of a culture of wellbeing in our careers, which includes local Branch membership, peer collegiality and support for each other. He is a current Board member of the NZDA.

Fear & Anxiety in our Dental Environment - Day Course


Speakers:

Professor Zac Morse See Bio

Dr Dorothy Boyd See Bio

Dr Lester Settle See Bio

Professor Paul Brunton See Bio

Dr Rohit Bedi See Bio

Dr David Chrisp See Bio

Dr Angus Campbell See Bio

Friday 9th May 2025
8:30am - 4:30pm
Venue: The Hub, Hobbiton
501 Buckland Road
RD2
Matamata
Region: Waikato/Bop
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Brought to you by Waikato Bay of Plenty Branch NZDA
c/- 49 Robinson Street
Cambridge
3434
New Zealand